World Central Kitchen, founded by Spanish-American chef Jose Andres, is an example of humanitarianism at work. WCK has become one of the world’s leading relief organizations since its 2010 launch following a devastating earthquake in Haiti.

Food is essential to life and is vitally important in a crisis. Access to healthy meals during a disaster is a reminder that someone cares.

But, of course, not everyone cares. Pierre Poilievre said a Conservative government would cut foreign aid funding. That mimics Trump’s policy of eliminating almost all development and humanitarian help abroad.

Starvation is just one adversity lessened when the world’s rich nations assist countries with lesser economic resources. Helping others is only partly altruistic because the developed world benefits from international stability.

Top 6 Benefits of Foreign Aid

1. Infrastructure: roads, bridges, institutions and sewer systems get built, giving people the ability to be mobile and have access to basic necessities such as electricity and running water.
2. Agricultural technology improvements: improvements enter the infrastructure within the agricultural businesses within recipient countries.
3. Education: classrooms get built, teachers receive training and children gain basic educational needs.
4. Health: vaccinations, mosquito nets, safe drinking water, access to hygiene education and basic sanitation are all brought in.
5. Humanitarian issues and natural disaster emergencies: life-saving support comes to those affected and possibly displaced due to natural disasters, emergency shelters are built for people affected by violence, and counseling services are made available.
6. National security: recipient countries can combat terrorism with the help of foreign aid as it decreases poverty, weak institutions and corruption and can help strengthen good governance, transparency and the economy.

The WCK website illustrates the organization’s recent work:

• Supporting communities in times of crisis.

• Supporting communities on the frontlines of the climate crisis.

• Resilience-focused programing to address chronic food system challenges in disaster-prone regions. 

• Providing 5 Million Ramadan Meals in Gaza & Lebanon.

• 3 Years of Adaptation & Impact in Ukraine.

• WCK Nourishes Workers of Restaurants Lost to the LA Wildfires.

After Donald Trump announced that José Andrés was fired because he failed to embrace MAGA goals, Chef Andrés set the record straight: